Terminal block



April 30, 1940. w. n. EDWARDS Er AL TERMINAL BLOCK Filed Sept. 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. MEDWARDS lNl/fNTORSf G C PORTER 8V RJ. TERRY u. 91c (Add ATTORNEY W. H. EDWARDS AL April 30, 1940.

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed Sept. 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 9

mm" m wen 2 m ad m ma s mm my U

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TERMINAL BLocK' a corporation of New York Application September 9, 1938,.SerialNo. 229,058

1 Claim. (01. 173-324) This invention relates to terminalblocks and moreparticularly to terminal blocks in which electrical terminals are supported on a block of insulating material. 5, The object of the invention is to provide a terminal block adapted to maintain wires in required positions and to take care of wires some or other suitable support and may be used, for

at least of which are of fixed length.

A feature of the invention resides in projecting 10 means formed on a rear face of the block to permit the running of wires between a main portion of the block and a wall surface on which the blockis mounted.

Another feature resides in passageways formed 15 in edge portions of the block to permit the running of wires to terminals supported on the front face of the block. I

Another feature resides in means included in the structure of the block for anchoring a con- 20 ductor to the block.

Other features than those above mentioned are subsequently pointed out in the specification.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front face view of one form of the 25 terminal block and with wires running thereto;

Fig. 2 is a rear face view of the block shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, ofthe block shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and with a cover attached, the block being mounted on a wall;

Fig. 4 is a front view, in perspective, of another form of block with wires running thereto;

Fig; 5 is a rear view, in perspective, of the block shown in Fig, 4;

35 Fig. 6 is a front view, in perspective, of two blocks of the form shown in Fig. 4 with wires running thereto and with a removable cover adapted to cover the two blocks;

Figs. 7 and 8 are front and rear views, respec- 40 tively, of the block shown in Figs. 1 and 2, drawn to a reduced scale relative to Figs. 1 and 2 and showing the manner in which wires may be belayed around portions of the blocks to take care of overlength wires;

Fig. 9 is a front face'vi ew of two blocks of another form and showing wires running to the blocks;

Fig. 10 is a rear View of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a front face view of the blocks shown. in Fig. 9 but with the blocks placed end to end and drawn to an enlarged; scale relative to Figs. 9 and 11.

The terminal block comprises a block of insulating material withterminal screws supported in spaced relation'thereon. A, removable cover 6 may be applied to the block.

The block is adapted to be mounted on a wall instance, as a point of connection between conducting wires of a telephone system and the wires 10 of a telephone subscribers telephone set. Merely for the purpose of illustrating how the invention may be used and not in the sense of limiting the invention tosuch use, it will be assumed that the block serves as a point of connection between 15 wires of a telephone system, and the wires of a telephone set. i l

A relatively simple form of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and is illustrated with the cover attached in Fig. 3. In this form as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, two pairs of wires are electrically connected by means of two of the terminal screws supported on the block. In Figs. '7 and 8 the same form of terminal block is used but in this case two sets of wires each having four conductors therein are electrically connected by means of the four terminal screws on the block.

It is obvious that more than, four terminal screws may be provided on the block if it is desired to take care of more than the number of wires shown and that the block may be suitably dimensioned to accommodate any required number of connections. Theblock, for instance, as shown in Figs.

4 and 5 has been made oblong to accommodate eight terminal screws and thus permit the connection of two sets of wires each of which contains eight conductors. In this case a removable cover, not shown, may also be provided, the cover being formed to meet the particular size and shape of the block.

A plurality of blocks as shown in Fig. 6 may be placed in alignment and in edge-to-edge relation to form in effect a larger block and thus accommodate a relatively large number of wires. In this case a removable cover common to the two blocks is dimensioned and shaped to fit over the blocks.

In Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 a plurality of blocks of somewhat different form to those shown in the preceding figures are arranged-to take care of a relatively large number of wires. In Figs. 9 and 10 the blocks are arranged in edge-to-edge relation toform in effect a double size substantially square block. In Figs. .11 and 12 the blocks are arranged in end-to-end relation. Removable covers, not shown, may be provided for the arrangements shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the covers of course being dimensioned to suit the arrangements illustrated.

Each form of block will now be described in detail and with reference to the figures in the drawings.

The form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a block I of insulating material having a slab portion 2, spaced foot portions 33 extending from the rear face 4 and a centrally located ringshaped embossing 5 on the front face 6. The foot portions 3-3 are located toward the center of the rear face 4 and are spaced apart a suificient distance to permit a pair of wires in twisted form to be passed between them. The foot portions are of such length as to maintain the slab portion 2 spaced from a wall, upon which the block may be mounted, a distance sufiicient to permit the extension of wires between the slab portion of the block and the wall. The foot portions are longitudinally apertured to accommodate mounting screws for the'block and are of suincient cross-sectional area to form a good footing for the structure. A cavity I is formed in the front face 6 of the slab portion 2 in line with the embossing 5, the cavity extending from the embossing 5 to the outer edge of the slab portion 2. The cavity 1 increases progressively in depth from the embossing 5 to the outer edge 8 of the slab portion 2. "The cavity I also progressively increases in width from the embossing 5 toward the outer edge 8 of the slab portion 2,

but before reaching the outer edge portion 8 the cavity is reduced in width to form a semi-cylindrical neck portion 9. Lugs I0Iil are provided on the upper surface of the slab portion 2, the lugs being disposed one on each side of the semi-cylindrical neck portion 9 and being in alignment with each other. The cavity I is enlarged at the inner end of the neck portion 9 and adjacent the lugs IIl-I0 vto form a relatively deep groove II. The cavity 1 with its neck portion 9 and groove II are provided to accommodate a cord conductor I2. The cord conductor I2 may be, for instance, a telephone cord comprising insulated conductors I3 and I4 covered for the greater. part of their length by a woven jacket I5 of insulating material. It is common practice to provide spade-tip terminals IE on the ends of the insulated conductors in telephone cords of this type and to have portions of the conductors in the vicinity of the spade terminals It not covered by the woven jacket I5. The portions not covered by the woven jacket I5 are known as skinner portions of the telephone cord and will be hereinafter referred to as such in the specification. The skinner portions I1 and I8 of the conductors I3 and I4, respectively, are covered with insulating material and have suitable terminals such, for instance, as the spadetip terminals I5 attached to the end portions of the wires. The skinner portions of the conductors are led from the inner end of the cavity '3 to required terminal screws I9, 20, 2!, 22 supported in spaced relation on the slab portion 2 of the block I. Each terminal screw is supported in an internally threaded bushing 23 molded into or otherwise secured in the slab portion 2 of the block.. The telephone cord I2 is equipped with a ferrule 24 adjacent the point of emergence of the skinner portions I1 and I8 from the woven jacket I5. Oppositely projecting wing portions 25 are provided on one end of the ferrule 24 to fit into the groove I I in the block and against the inner faces of the lugs I 0. The ferrule 24 rests in the cavity 1 and a portion of the cord I2 covered by the woven jacket I5 rests in the neck portion 9 of the cavity. The wing portions 25 on the ferrule 24 in cooperation with the groove II and the lugs ID serve to prevent longitudinal movement of the cord I2 relative to the block I so that pulling on the cord I2 will not cause withdrawal of the tip terminals from the terminal screws in the block. Two opposite edge portions of the slab portion 2 are deeply indented to provide passageways 26 and 21 for wires. The passageways are made wide at the inner portion and constricted toward the outer edge of the block to provide a space suitable for running wires therethrough and projections 28 extending partially across the mouth of the indentation to guard against accidental displacement of the wires from the passageway.

As shown in Fig. 2 a pair 29 of insulated wires is led to the block I from an opposite direction to that of the cord I2. The wires 25 may be, for instance, wires of a telephone system. The wires 29 are run in twisted form between the foot portions 3--3 of the block and are then separated and passed partially around the foot portions 3--3 and through the passageways to the front of the block and thence to the terminal screws on the front of the block. Bared end portions of the wires 29 are hooked around the terminal screws and the terminal screws are then screwed down to hold the wires 29 in electrical connection with the tip terminals of the telephone cord. In Fig. 2, which is a rear View of the block, an embossing 30 is shown. This embossing is the back part of the cavity 1 formed in the front of the block.

In Fig. 3 the block I is shown mounted on a wall 3|. The foot portions 3-3 rest against the Wall 3| and maintain the slab portion 2 spaced from the wall. The block is secured to the wall 3| by means of screws 32 which pass through the foot portions 33 and into the wall 3|. The foot portions permit a secure mounting on an uneven wall surface and prevent strains being set up in the body of the block as would be the case with a block with a solid base with two screws pulling it up against an uneven wall surface. The heads of the screws set into recesses 33 provided in the front face of the block, thus not interfering with the connection of the wires or cord tips on the face of the block.

The embossing 5 on the front of the block serves as a rest for a cover 34. The cover 34 is substantially square in form and comprises the side walls 35 and a front wall 36, the back of the cover being open to permit placement of the cover over the block I. The embossing 5 on the front of the block is long enough to maintain the front wall 36 of the cover spaced from the insulated wires and the terminals disposed on the front of the block. The side walls 35 of the cover are stepped inwardly over a portion of the front of the block I as shown at 31 and openings are provided in two of the side walls 35, one of the openings being located in position to permit entrance of the cord I2 and the other to permit entrance of the wires 29. The central portion of the front wall 36 of the cover is apertured and inwardly indented and embossed at 38 to'ac commodate a holding screw 39 which turns into an internally threaded member 40 embedded in the slab portion 2 at the base of the ring-shaped embossing 5. When the screw 39 is turned into the member 40, the cover is sprung slightly in-' 75 tion. ,However, the cover of the block is formed enamels ward, providing a constant pressuretendin'gito keep the screw from loosening. This'presses" the embossing :38 j'of "the coveragain'st the embossing SoftherbloC-k and the cover 34 is thereby clamped to the block so that the stepped portion 31 of the side walls 35 engages edges of .the slab por so that the edges of the cover donot touch the wall .3] :on which the :block' is mounted. "This permits :a' roughly trimmed edge to be used .on the cover 'efor manufacturing economy, without the danger of :scratchingthe surface on which the block is mounted when mounting or removing the cover. 1 1

The structure and arrangement above describediprovide-a terminal block in which a main slab portioniof the block is maintained in spaced relation to a wall surface on which the block is mounted. A wiretor set'of wires'may, therefore, be run *between the slab portion of the block and the wall. The wires are led in twisted form heotherwise be likely-tooccur; The'cwires are then led through indentations-in the slab portion to terminal scre'wssupported on the frontiace of the: slab portion. The wires 29 are maintained in 'the :required position cooperatively by the slab portionfl of "the block' and the "foot portions 3 and 'by "the wall 3| upon which the block is mounted. The running of the wire under the block igivesad'equate room for storage of excess wire length which 'is desirable .in case of later breakage of the end of this wire; Also, all the fanning-out :of the wires to reach the desired terminals is done below the surface of the block, keeping the top clear for connecting the wire andrcord conductors. The snubbing of the wires around-the foot portions 3 of the block prevents strains from being applied to the points of connection of the wires when a pull 'is exerted on the wires 29. The skinner portions 11, I8 of the telephone cord are located on the front face of the blockand-are protected against longitudinal strain by reason of the ferrule 24 and the wing portions :25 thereof and the location of these parts in the cavity 1 and relative to the lugs 10. The spacing vbetween the lugs l0 and the embossing 5 and 'thetshape of the embossing 5 and of the cavity l are suchthat the cord fits snugly in place and the wing portions 25 will not slip up and out of. place while the coveris being mounted and fastened in place. Also, the shape of the embossing'fi and theembossing 38in the cover is such as to force out of theway the skinner portions i'l and l8 of the telephone cord in case they are not placed properly and would otherwise tend to bepinched and-damaged when the'cover is fastened. The cover 34 protectsv all the points-of connection of the wires on the block from dust and contact with other foreign substances. The cutaway portion 16 of the cover is so proportioned that when the cover is fastened it holds down the body ofthe cord l2 so that the wing portions 25 of the ferrule 24 are held securely in place and the wires 29 are pressed against the wall 3!.

It is to be noted that in thestructure and arrangement described above the skinner portions H and i8 ofthe'telephone cord are relatively v X short and that the skinner portions are shown merelysiaspassingiaroundwthe embossing 5 and disposed-Zonly on the front'surfaceiof thef'block.

lnz'someecases, however; it is the practice to provide rlonger rski'nner portions 'on telephone cords than thoseshown in Fig. 1.' It is also to be noted that win-Figs. :1 and 2zonly two pairs of wires have been-bro'uglitiinto connection and there are four terminal screws supported on the block. In cases where @the longer :skinner portions are 1 provided on the telephone cord the' skinner portions are The block shown :in Figs. '7 and 8 is identical instructure ztocthe oneshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The parts shown in Figs. '7 and 8 corresponding to the parts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are, there fore, identified by' the same numerals and no further description is 'made of such parts. ,The telephoneicord H "comprising four conductors enclosed in a woven jacket is .led to the front face of the "block i and the ferrule'M is dis-'1 poseclin thezcavity ii.

The relatively long skinner portionsof the conductors in the cord are thenbelayed around theblock to keep all parts within the bounds of the block and therefore adapted-to :be rcovered by a cover, not shown in these figures but corresponding to the cover 34 shown inFi The tip terminals on the conductorsof' thecord.are then brought into connection with, required terminal screws on. the

block. Theqmannerof belayingthe skinner portions :of the cord may ibe'traced as follows: theskinnenportion 42 afteremerging from the jacket I Mj'is passed acrossva portion of the front face a of the blockfand thence throughthe passageway 21 and"'across the rear of the block and through the-passageway 2t and across the front ofthe block to the terminalscrew 2|. The skinner portion-M is i-na similar manner belayed around the slab portion of the block and brought into connection'with'the terminal screw- 22, the

skinner portion 43 taking a course f'romthe front of the blockandthrough the passageway, 26 to the rear of the block and then across .the rear screwy'thelsliinner portion 4 being led to' the terminal screw Zllan'd the skinner portion 45 being led to theterm'inal screw 1 9; The belaying of the skinner portions ofthe conductors may be accomplished even when 'theblock isalready portion 2 :o'f-"the block'spaced fromthe support. The telephonezwires"Main this case comprising secured to asup'port by means of the mounting,

screwss ince the foot portions 3- 3 hold the slab four conductors, are led in twisted form to the I rear. of the slab portion of the block as shown in Fig. Band between the foot portions 3- 3. Two of {the :conductors are then bent partially around one of the foot portions 3 and then passed through the passageway 2'1 and across part of the front of the slab portion to required terminalqscrewsl" Theot-her two conductors of the telephone wires 45 are bent partially around the other foot portion 3 and thenjpassed through,

thepassageway 261to the front of the slab portion; The conductors are 'then led acrossa 'portion of the frontf' the slab portion to required terminal seiiews, ;giEach terminal screw serves tohold in electrical connection one of the conductors of the telephone cord and one of the conductors of the telephone wires 46. Since the telephone wires 46 are led partially around the foot portions 3 and through the passageways of the slab portion before being connected to the terminal screws any ordinary strain applied to the wires 46 exterior of the cover 34 will not result in disconnection of the wires from the terminal screws.

In Figs. 4 and a terminal block of slightly different form is shown to the one above described. This terminal block provides a means for connecting a greater number of wires than the one shown in Fig. 1. One of the many applications for it is in connection with what is known as a keyset telephone. In such telephone apparatus more than two pairs of wires are required. The illustration shows accommodation for two sets of wires each of which contains eight conductors. The number of wires to be accommodated, however, might be more or less than the number shown since it is obvious that the size of the block might be increased and a larger number of terminal screws provided, where necessary, or only a fraction of the number of terminal screws might be utilized for a smaller number of wires.

The terminal block shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is a block 47 of insulating material comprising a slab portion 48 having a front face 49 and a rear face 56. An annular embossing 5| is provided on the front face 49. The block is apertured to accommodate mounting screws 52, the apertures for the screws being countersunk. Eight terminal screws 53 are supported in spaced relation on the front face of the slab portion, the terminal screws being in threaded engagement with internally threaded bushings 54 molded into or otherwise secured in the slab portion 48. The embossing 5| provides a rest for a removable cover, not shown, the cover being of the type 34 shown in Fig. 3 but formed and dimensioned to suit the form of terminal block. An internally threaded bushing 55 is provided in the bottom of the embossing 5| to receive a holding screw for the cover. A foot portion 56 made in the form of a ridge projects from the rear face 50 of the slab portion. The foot portion 56 serves to maintain the slab portion 46 spaced from a wall when the terminal block is mounted thereon by means of the mounting screws 52. The foot portion 56 is located inwardly of end portions of the slab portion and is increased in width in the vicinity of the apertures 51 provided for the mounting screws and partially encircles the bushing 55. End portions of the slab portion of the block are indented to provide passageways 58 and 59 for wires. The passageways are made wide at the inner portions and constricted toward the outer edge of the block to provide a space suitable for running wires therethrough and projections 66 extending partially across the mouth of the indentation to guard against accidental displacement of the wires from the passageway. Spaced projections 6| are provided on one of the long edge portions of the slab portion and correspondingly spaced indentations 62 are provided on the opposite long edge portion. These projections and indentations serve as positioning means for the blocks when more than one block isrequired, the blocks in this case taking the positions shown in Fig. 6 wherein two blocks have been placed in edge-to-edge relation with the projections 6| of one block set in the indentations 62 of the other block to maintain the blocks against relative movement.

As shown in Fig's.'4 and 5 a cord conductor 63 comprising a woven jacket 64 and skinner portions 65 of conductors extending from within the woven jacketiis brought to the block 41, the skinner portions being equipped with tip terminals and extending'over the front face of the slab portion. The skinner portions 65 are fanned out over the front face of the block and the tip terminals are brought into connection with the terminal screws 53. The cord 63 may be, for instance, a telephone cord comprising the required number of insulated conductor wires and a stay cord 66. The stay cord 66 is passed through an aperture 61 in the slab portion of the block and is suitably tied to anchor the telephone cord to the block. The point of emergence of the skinner portions 65 from the woven jacket 64 is held inan indentation 68 in the slab por tion. Insulated conductors 69 are led in twisted form from an opposite direction to that of the cord 63 and under the slab portion of the block. The conductors 69 may be, for instance, conductors of a telephone system. The conductors 69 are equal in'number to the number of conductors in the cord 63 and are suitably divided into two groups beneath the slab portion of the block. One group is passed through the passageway 58 and then fanned out over the front face of the block and brought into connection with the terminal screws 53 in the vicinity of the passageway 58. The other group is passed through the passageway 59 and then fanned out over the front face of the block and brought into connection with the terminal screws 53 in the vicinity of the passageway 59. The running of the conductors 69 through the passageways in the block and over the front face provides suflicient snubbing of the conductors against the block to prevent ordinary strains applied to the conductors from causing disconnection of the conductors from the terminal screws when the terminal screws are screwed down. The stay cord 66 tied to the block prevents strains applied to the telephone cord 63 from causing disconnection of the tip terminals from the terminal screws. The conductors 69 may be run under the slab portion 48 of the block even when the block is already mounted on a wall surface since the foot portion 56 maintains the slab portion of the block spaced from the wall surface. A removable cover of the type shown in Figs. 3 and 6 but shaped and dimensioned to fit over the block shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be applied over the block and held thereon by means of a'cover holding screw entering the internally threaded bushing 55.

In Fig. 6 two blocks 4? are mounted on a support, not shown, by means of the mounting screws 52 and are insured of correct positioning of one relative to the other by means of the projections 6| on one block and the indentations 62 on the other. This arrangement will take care of double the number of wire connections shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this case, a cord conductor having, for instance, sixteen skinner portions H extending therefrom is led to the first block. The skinner portions 1| are fanned out over the front'faces of the blocks and the tip terminals are brought into connection with the terminal screws 53. The stay cord 12 of the cord conductor 10 is passed through the aperture 61 in the first block and then tied to anchor the cord conductor 10 to the block. Insulated conductors l3-equal in numberto the conductors in the cord ways BB-59 to the front faces of the blocks.

The conductors 73 are then fanned ,Ollt and brought into electrical connection 'with 'the'terminal screws 53; The cover "I4 is dimensioned to fit'over the two blocks. The cover is 'apertured andindented and inwardly embossed at :apoin-t in register with the embossing 5| of one of the blocks and isprovided'with a cover holding screw I5 to enter the internally threaded bushing 55. Two of the side walls of 'the cover are recessed at I6 to permit passage therethrough of -the cord I and the conductors l3.

In Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, a terminal block is shown of some-whatdifferent form to the':ones shown in the preceding figures. Fig. 13 is a front face view of the "block drawn on an enlarged scaler elative to the other figures. This block may be used for the same purpose as the ones above described. In this block, however, provision is made for receiving an S-hook'attached to a stay cord and means are provided on the front face of the block to hold in required positions tip terminals on the skinner portions of conductors. The block 11 as shown in Fig. 13 comprises a slab portion I8 of insulating material. On the front face I9 are terminal screws 89 supported in spaced relation in internally threaded bushings 8|, the bushings 8| being molded into or otherwise secured in the block 11. Spaced, countersunk apertures82 are provided in the block to receive mounting screws 83 shown in Figs. 9 and 11 and by which the block maybe mounted on a suitable support, not shown, the head portions of the screws being disposed below the level of the front face of the block. Foot portions 84 as shown in Figs. I0 and I2 are provided on the rear face 85 of the block to hold the slab portion I8 spaced from the support. The foot portions 84 are tubular and are in register with the apertures 82 so that the mounting screws 83 'will extend through the foot portions and into the support. A bushing 86 is provided in each footportion 84 to prevent fracture of the foot portion bythe mounting screw. An aperture 81 is provided near the central portion of the block to accommodate aholding screw for a removable cover, not shown, the cover being of the type shown in the preceding figures but formed and dimensioned to suit the block. An internally threaded bushing 88 is embedded in the block in register with the aperture 81. Spaced on opposite sides of the aper ture 8'! and on the front face of the block are two arcuately shaped embossings '89. The embossings 89 form a rest'for the removable cover and also cooperate to hold one looped end portion of an S-hook 90 of a stay cord SI as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. The embossings 89 have their concave sides facing each other and are spaced apart at their endsslufiiciently to; allow passage therethrough of the other end of the S- Two of the corner portions of 'the slab por-' tion of the block 11 are indented .to provide passageways '92 and 93 for. wires. The passageways 92 v and '93 are made-relatively wide at the rinn'er'portions and constricted at the .mouth portions to iprovideoverhang ing projections 94 extending partially across the mouth portion. The projections 94 serve in some measure to prevent displacement of *the wires from the -.passageway. The upper edge :of'the-slabportion is indented at 95.150 receivenan'rend portion ofxa jacket of a telephone cord. The lower -edge portion of the block is indented to; provide seats 95 and 91 adapted to receive the upper edge portion of another block. The lower edge is furtherindented to providea passageway 98 for wires; the passageway being made widerat its inner end than at "the mouth, and the mouth being partially closed tbyv projections 9.9.-iand I00.

In the .frontsurface (of'the slab portion are grooves. :IzIlI. The grooves extendradially of the bushings 8| and are adapted to receive the shank portions of tip-terminals on the skinner portions of conductors such as shown, for instance, at I02 in Figs. 9 and 11. The grooves are located and directed so that the shank portions of the tip terminals cannot cometogether to form a short circuit. 'Although the means for preventing the shank portions of the tip terminals from coming together are shown'as being grooves IIlI in the front of the slab portion some result may be obtained by providing raised barriers on the front of the slab portion between the tip terminals;

In Figs. 9 andlO two blocks'l'l are shown placed together inedge-to-edge relation to provide a means-for. electrically connecting two sets of wires each of which contains sixteen conductors. Each set of wires is enclosed in a woven jacket. One set of wires I03 may be, for instance,

a telephone cord including a plurality of insulated conductors and 'a stay cord SI, the stay cord being equipped with an S-hook. The other set of wires I04 may be wires of a telephone system. Skinner portions I05 of the telephone cord are passed across the rear face of the slabportions of the blocks and are brought through the passageways 9293 to the front face. The shank portions of the tip terminals I02 are then placed in the grooves I0! and the ends of the. tip terminals are brought under the heads of the terminal screws 80. End portions of the wires of the set I04 are stripped of the woven jacket and are passed across therear face of the block and through the passageways v98. The wires are then fanned out across the frontface of the block and are brought into electrical connection with the terminal screws 80. Correct positioning of the blocks is insured by the particular form of the upper and lower edge portions since the upper edge portion of each block is made of suitable shape to fit the indented lower edge of another block.

InFigs. 11 and 12 two blocks I! are shown pla'cedendto end, The S-hook 90 of the stay cord 9! is positioned between the embossings 89 of the block on the left. Where the skinner portions of wires are longer'than required to reach the terminal screws they may be looped around a foot portion 84 of a block 11 as shown in Fig. 12. ,A removablecover, not shown, and of required shape and dimensions maybe applied to the blocks arranged as shown in Figs..1l and 12, the coverholding screw being engaged in the block on the left and passing into the bushing 88. Also, two cover holding screws may be used,

one engaged in eachblock, I

In all of the terminal blocksabove described foot portions are provided to maintain a slab portion spaced from a support on which the block is mounted so that wires may be run under the slab portion. The block structures also have passageways formed in the slab portions so that Wires may be extended from the rear of the slab portion to the front face. The block structures therefore are quite different from the common and well-known form in which there isno slab portion spaced from a support on which the block is mounted and in which the wires to be connected are merely run overthe front face of the block to terminals mounted thereon.

What is claimed is:

In combination with a set of conductor wires and a telephone cord equipped with anchoring means, a one-piece connector block comprising a slab of insulating material, terminal screws .the rear face of said block and located inwardly of outer edge portions of said block, said foot members cooperatively forming on the rear face of said block a passageway for wires of said set, and serving as snubbing posts for said wires, 0pposite edge portions of said block notched out to form passageways for wires of said set to permit extension of said wires from the rear face of said block to said terminal screws, finger portions on said block, said finger portions converging part way across the notches formed in said block and tending to retain the conductor wires in the notches and means formed in said block for anchoring the telephone cord to said block. WILLIAM H. EDWARDS.

GEORGE C. PORTER. ROY V. TERRY. 

